Abstract: A formalin fluid recycler has a combination triple pipe nozzle for introducing dirty fluid into the recycler and for expelling concentrate and permeate fluid therefrom. Dirty fluid is pumped through a strainer, filtration module and charcoal filter to purify and clarify the dirty fluid. The formalin fluid can be recirculated in the system via the nozzle or be directed to a clean receptacle. Dirty formalin fluid is further cleansed by Ozone and ultraviolet light. Percent concentration and pH level of clean recycled formalin fluid is adjusted outside of the main recycling loop. Cleaning and preservative solutions are circulated through the recycler when necessary.

Abstract: An endoscope for use with an elastomeric sheath for performing an endoscopic procedure. The endoscope includes a body, an insertion tube extending away from the body and terminating at a distal end portion, and a sheath retainer connected to the distal end portion of the insertion tube for releasably retaining the sheath on the insertion tube in a substantially fixed position during the endoscopic procedure. The sheath is an elastomeric member movable between a radially expanded position and a contracted position, and the sheath is biased toward the contracted position. The sheath retainer is a generally C-shaped member having a pair of retaining tabs spaced apart from each other and extending away from an outer surface of the insertion tube's distal end portion to define a working channel retaining area therebetween.

Abstract: A composite or secondary packaging arrangement for the containment of hydrophilic contact lenses in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is a composite or secondary packaging arrangement wherein pluralities of disposable hydrophilic contact lenses possessing different optical characteristics or prescriptions are contained in one or more specific packaging arrays which are then collectively housed in separate paired box-like compartments or carton structures in a preselected customized manner so as to provide specified or essentially measured supplies of differing contact lenses for prescribed use in both eyes of a consumer over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An imaging system spatially modulates penetrating radiation that passes through an object under investigation. The modulation introduces spatial irregularities which can be deflected while passing through the object under investigation. The deflection of each irregularity can be identified and is converted into contrast of in a projection of the object. One embodiment of the invention includes: a source of penetrating radiation 1, and a modulator 3 for the creation of spatial irregularities; and a detector 5 for measuring transverse translations of spatial irregularities and converting the measured transverse translations into contrast in a projection 8 of object 4.

Abstract: A package containing an aqueous drug composition containing an insoluble resin comprising benzalkonium salt units in an amount sufficient to inhibit growth of microbes in said aqueous drug solution. Typically, the insoluble resin is a polymer having repeating units of the formula:--?CH.sub.2 --CH(Ar)!--wherein Ar=a group of the formula:-Phe-CH.sub.2 --N.sup.+ (CH.sub.3).sub.2 R X.sup.-wherein R=long chain alkyl such as C.sub.8-18 alkyl, Phe=phenylene, and X.sup.- is a pharmaceutically acceptable counter anion such as Cl.sup.-.

Abstract: Concentric ring, single vision lens designs are disclosed which improve the depth-of-focus of the lens relative to current spherical contact lenses or intraocular lenses by placing at least one additional peripheral optical radius on the front or back surface of the lens. A plurality of concentric annular rings are provided in the periphery of the optic zone of the lens. The arrangement of optic powers in the concentric annular rings includes a mixture of the basic spherical refractive power and other annular rings with less plus or greater minus spherical refractive power, arranged to mediate spherical aberrations and improve visual acuity. The concentric annular ring design corrects peripheral, aperture-dependent ocular aberrations in a discrete, zonal fashion.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the decomposition rate of polymeric bioadhesives and viscosity enhancers, such as poly(acrylic acids). The compositions include at least one strong, stable chelating agent, preferably an organophosphorous compound such as diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid). These biocompatible compositions are especially useful in the ophthalmic field.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing an ultraviolet radiation absorbing contact lens from a lens shaped polymer having hydroxyl groups pendant therefrom and having dispersed therein a UV absorbing agent substituted with at least one anhydride group which is exposed to basic conditions such that the hydroxyl groups react with the anhydride groups on the UV absorbing agent. As a result the UV absorbing agent becomes fixed to the polymer through the formation of a covalent ester bond.

Abstract: A multifocus, concentric annular ring lens wherein one of the front and back surfaces of the lens defines a central area comprising a circular disc having a spherical surface corresponding to a basic prescription Rx spherical distance optical power. A plurality of annular rings surround the central area and have alternating spherical near and distance optical powers, and at least one intermediate optical power annular ring. The immediate optical power annular ring is located in the middle or outer region of the lens optic zone, and its optical power is intermediate to the distance and near optical powers, to provide visual acuity at intermediate distances. The intermediate optical power annular ring can be placed anywhere in the middle or outer region of the lens optic zone, and can be the second annular ring from the outer edge of the lens optic zone, or can be the outermost annular ring which defines the outer circumference of the lens optic zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and transporting ophthalmic lens mold sections from a mold, and generally comprising first, second, and third assemblies. The first assembly removes the lens mold sections from the mold and transports the lens mold sections to a first location, the second assembly receives the lens mold sections from the first assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a second location, and the third assembly receives the lens mold sections from the second assembly and transports the lens mold sections to a third location. Preferably, the first assembly includes a hand to receive the lens mold sections from the mold and to releasably hold the lens mold sections, and a support subassembly connected to the hand to support the hand and to move the hand between the mold and the first location.

Abstract: An apparatus for causing the polymerized excess monomer to separate from a molded lens by increasing the surface energy of the flange area of one mold piece, causing the polymerized excess monomer to stick thereto. Specifically when manufactured under inert atmosphere conditions, a particular manifold is needed to supply an oxygen bearing gas, air, to the area to be treated while preventing the oxygen from contaminating the lens manufacturing area of the molds or diluting the nitrogen atmosphere of other lens process areas. It has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated.

Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein A and B are each selected from the following group: a substituted divalent cyclic radical, a substituted divalent aromatic radical, and a substituted divalent fused heterocyclic radical.

Abstract: A lens aperture of an autostereoscopic camera is moved in a parallax scanning pattern through a plurality of disparity positions offset from the optical axis of the camera lens. Images of a scene being photographed, as viewed through the lens aperture in its various disparity positions, are recorded for subsequent display, which produces a three dimensional illusion when viewed on a conventional display with the unaided eye. The size of the lens aperture and the parallax scanning pattern are adjustable to suit conditions. The lens aperture may be defined by a through-hole in an opaque card, a plurality of interleaved leaf elements, or a planar array of cells switched between transparent and opaque states. In addition to stereoscopic imaging, the moving lens aperture principle of the present invention may be utilized in range-finding and camera image stabilization applications.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station.

Abstract: Hydrophilic contact lens molds are transiently modified to provide a water dynamic contact angle equal to or less than 100.degree. by treatment with a wetting agent which may be water or a surfactant composition which provides a mold surface having a water wetting force of at least 70 mg to afford a reduction in lens hole defects in hydrophilic contact lens manufacture.

Abstract: System and method of operation thereof for inspecting glass containers handled by a glass container handling apparatus to determine a height of a bottom of at least one of the containers. The system includes a base adapted to be positioned adjacent the container handling apparatus and adapted to receive the bottom of the containers handled by the container handling apparatus. At least one of the containers is positioned on the base and a capacitive sensor on the base provides an electric field adjacent the capacitive sensor and senses a capacitance affected by the container bottom being positioned in the electric field. The capacitive sensor generates a signal representative of the sensed capacitance which is a function of the height of the container bottom relative to the base. In response to the signal from the capacitive sensor, the processor determines the height of the container bottom based on the sensed capacitance as indicated by the signal.